An appeal to the people, on the two despotic bills, now in Parliament

AN

P P E A L

TO T H £

PEOPLE,

ON THE.

TWO DESPOTIC BILLS,

NOW.

DEPENDING IN PARLIAMENT.

L 0 N D 0 Ni

PRINTED AND SOLD BY D. I. EATON, PRINTER AND

BOOKSELLER TO THE SUPREME MAJESTY OF

THE PEOPLE, AT THE COCK AND SWINE,

NO, 74, NEWGATE-STREET.

l795-

ADVERTISEMENT.

JN any other circiimftances than the prefent, the author would
feel It incumbent ujion him to apologize for fo hajly a compofition
as the following^ written in a few hours, wrefted from hisnecejfary
avocations. But in this time of urgency, the man who can
confume his minutes in polifliing his language, or rounding his
periods, is not calculated to render any ejpntial fervice to his
country. Copies of the two bills, in the Jhape in which they were
originally introduced into Parliament by the ATmiflers, are prefixed \
that the author may be detecled if he Jliould unintentionlly have
mifre[irejented either. ' The alterations that have been made while
the pamphlet has been in the prefs, do not affecl the argument;
indeed they have fcarcely foftened a jingle fiade of their deformity.

LORD

LORD GRENriLLE's BILL,

INTITULED

AN ACT FOR THE SAFETY AND PRESERVATION OF
HIS MAJESTY'S PERSON AND GOVERNMENT AGAINST
TREASONABLE AND SEDITIOUS'' PRACTICES AND
ATTEMPTS.

THE Preamble Hates, that the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and
Commons of Great Britain, duly ccniidering the darirg
Outrages offered to His Majefty's moft Sacred Perfon, in his paflags
to and from Parliament, at the opening of this prefent Sefiion, and
alfo the continued attempts of wicked and evil-difpofed Perfons to
difturb the tranquility of His Majefty's Kingdom, particularly by
the multitude of Seditious Pamphlets and Speeches daily printed,
publifhed, and difperfed, with unremitting induiby, and with a
tranfcendent bcldneis, in contempt of His Majefty's Royal Perfon
and Dignity, and tending to the overthrow of the Laws, Govern-
ment, and happy Conftitution of thefe Realms, have judged, that
it is become neceflary to provide a further remedy againit all fucii
treafonable and fediticus Practices and Attempts: They therefore,
calling to mind the provifions, -which have at different times
made by the wifdom of Parliament, for averting fuch danger*, and
more efpeciallv for the fecurkv and prefcrvatjon of the Perfons of

( 4 )

the Sovereigns of thefe Realms, befeech His Majeity, that it may
be enacted, That if any Perfon or Perfons whatfoever, after a date
to be hereafter fettled, during the natural life of His Majefty, and
until the end of the next Seflion of Parliament after a demife of the
Crown, mall, within the Realm or without, compafs, imagine,
invent, devife, or intend death or deft ruction, or any b dily
.fcarm tending to death or deftruclion, maim or wounding,
imprifonment, or reilraint of the Pcifon of the King, his Heirs and
Succeilbrs, or to deprive or depcfe him or them from the Style,
Honour, or Kingly Name of the Imperial Crown of this Realm,
or of any other of His Majcrly's Dominions or Countries ; or tq
}evy War againft His Majefty, his Heirs and SucceiTors, within
i&s Realm or without; or to move or itir any Foreigner or Stranger
with force to invade this Realm, or any other His Majefty 's Domi-
nions or Countries, being under the obeifance of His Majeity, his
Heirs and SucceiTors ; and fuch compaffings, imaginations, inven.
tions, devices, or intentions, or any of them, (Hall exprefs, utter,
or declare, by any priming, writing, preaching, or malicious and
sdvifed fpeaking, being legally convicted thereof, upon the oaths
of two lawful and credible Witneffes, upon trial, or othenvife con^
vicled or attainted by due courfe of law, then ever) fuch Perfon and
Perfons fo as aforefaid offending, mall be deemed, declared, and
adjudged, to be a Traitor or Traitors-, mall fuffer pains of Death,
and alfo lofe and forfeit as in cafes of High Treafon,

It is further enacted, that if any perfon or perfons within that part
of Great Britain called England, during His Majeity's life, and
until the end of the next Seiiion of Parliament after a demife of the
"Crown, fliall malkioufly and advifedly,, by writing,' printing,
preaching, or other fpeaking, exprefs, publifh, utter, or declare,
any words, fentences, or other thing or things, to incite or ilir
sip the People to hatred or diflike of the perfon of his Majefty, his
Heirs or Succeflcrs, or the eitablifned Government and Conititutioa
of this Realm, then every fuch. perfon and perfons, being thereof
"legally convicted, mail be liable to fuch piinifhment as may by law
be inflicted in cafes of high IVli-demeanors ; and if any perfon or
perfons lhail, after being io convicted, offend a fecond time, and be
thereupon convicted, fuch perfon or perfons lhail, on fuch fecond
conviction, be adjudged to be transported for feven years.

It is provided, That no perfon be profeoated by virtue of this
Act, for any of the offences mentioned (other than fuch as are
made and declared to" be High Treafon) uniefs it he by order of
the King's Majeity, his Heirs or SucceiTors, under his or their fign
manual, or by order of Council Table cf his Majefty, hib Heir; and
Succ-fTors, directed unto the Attorney-General for the time being ;
car to i'ome ether of the Counfel learned, to his Majeily, his Heirs

aid

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and SuccefTors, for the time being ; nor fhall any perfon or perfons,
by virtue of this prefent act, incur any the penalties herein before
mentioned, unlefs he or they be profecuted within
months next after the offence committed, and the profecution
brought to trial within the fame Term, AiEze or SerTions, or that
which fhall next enfue after filing the information, or the indictment
being found, unlefs the Court in which the fame is depending mall,
on fpeeial gronnd ftated by motion in open Court, think fit to en-
large the time for the trial thereof, or unlefs the defendant fhall
be profecuted to an outlawry.

It is further provided, That no perfon or perfons fhall be indict-
ed, arraigned, condemned, convicted, or attainted, for any of the
treafons or offences aforefaid, unlefs the fame offender or offenders
be therefore accufed by the teitimony of two lawful and credible
wit nelfes, upon oath ; which witneffes, at the time of the faid
offender or offenders arraignment, fhall be brought in perfon before
him or them, face to face, and fnall openly avow and1 maintain,
upon oath, what they have to fay again fl him or them concerning
the treafo i or offences contained in the faid indictment, unlefs the
party or parties arraigned fhall willingly, and without violence,
confefs the fame.

It is lihewife enacted, That this Act, or any thing therein con-
tained, fhall not extend to deprive either of the Houfes of Parliament,
or any of their Members, of their jcit antient freedom and privilege
of debating any matters of buftnefs which fhall be propounded and
debated in either of the faid Hou'cs, or at any conferences or com-
mittees at both or either of the faid Houfes of Parliament, or
touching the repeal or alteration of any old, or preparing any new
Laws, or the redreffmg any public grievance; but jjhac the faid
Members of either of the faid Houfes, and the Afllitants of the
Houfe of Peers, and every of thetii, (hall have the fame freedom
of fpcech, and all other priv'feges whatfoever, as they had before
the making of this Act ; any tiling in this Act to the contrary
thereof in any wife notttithftanding.

It is further enacted, That all and every perfon or perfons, that
fnall at any pinjie be acc'ul indicted, or profecuted, for any

offence made or declared to be Treafon by this Act, fhall be en-
titled to the benefit of the Ac. lament, made in the fev< nth
year oi d, intituled, '
Act i dng of I rials in Cal in ion of
'1 reafon;" anj alfo to the provihons ir ano her A( \

ment, paffed in the feventh yc-.<r of Her late Majefty Q-
Anne, intkuled, " An Act for improving the Union of the
{kingdoms. "

And

( 6 )

And it is laftly enabled, that nothing in this Aft contained mall
extend, or be conftrued to extend, to prevent or affect any profe-
cution by information or indictment at the Common Law, for any
offence within the provifions of this Act, other than the offences
hereby declared to be High Treafon, unlefs the party mall have
been firll profecuted under this Ad.

Mr, HIT

Mr. P IT T>*

B

FDR THE MORE EFFECTUALLY PREEVNTING

SEDITIOUS MEETINGS and ASSEMBLIES,

WHEREAS Affemblies of divers perfons, colje&edofor the
purpofe, or under the pretext, of deliberating en public
grievances, and on agreeing on petitions, complaints, remon-
strances, declarations, or other addreffes, to the King, or to both.
Houfes, or either Houfe of Parliament, have of late been made
ufe of to ferve the ends of factious and feditious perfons, to the
great danger of the public peace, and may become the means of
producing confufion and calamities in the Nation.

Be it enacted by the King's moft excellent Majefty, by and with
the advice and coafent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and
Commons, in this prefent Parliament afTembled, and by the autho-
rity of the fame, That from and after the

no Meeting, of any description of perfons, exceeding the number of
perfons (other than and except any meeting of any coun-
ty, riding or divifion, called by the Lord Lieutenant, Guftos Ro-
tulorum, or Sheriff of fuch county, or any meeting called by
or more juftices of the peace of the county or place where fuch
meeting mall be holden, or any meeting of any corporate body)
mall be holden, for the purpofe or on the pretext of confidering of
or preparing any petition, complaint, remonftrance, or declaration,
or rather addrefs to the King, or to both Houfes, or either Houfe
of Parliament, for alteration of matters eftablifhed in Church and
State, or for the purpofe or on the pretext of deliberating upon any
grievance in Church or State, unlefs notice of the intention to hold
fuch meeting, and of the time and place when and where the fame
fhall be propofed to be holden, and of the purpofe for which the
fame (hall be propofed to be holden, and of the matter or matters
to be propounded and deliberated upon in fuch meeting, (hall be
given by public advertifement in days at lead be-

fore fuch meeting fhall be holden, and unlefs the authority to in-
fert fuch notice fhall be figned by perfons at the leaft,

being houfeholders refident within the county, city, or place where
fuch meeting fhall be propofed to be holden, and unlefs fuch autho-
rity, fo figned, fhall be written at the foot of a true copy of fuch
notice, and fhall be delivered to the perfon required to infert the
fame in any fuch as aforefaid ; which perfon fhall

caufe fuch notice and authority to be carefully preferved, and fhall
produce the fame whenever thereto required by any one or more
Juftice or Juftices of the Peace for th« county, city, town, or
place, where fuch perfon {hall refide, or where fuch fhall be

printed; and fhall alfo, if required, caufe a true copy of fuch no-
tice and authority, fo figned, to be delivered to any fuch juftice
who fhall require the fame.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That all

C

( 8 )

meetings, of any defcription of perfons, exceeding the number of
perfons (other than and except as aforefaid) which after
the faid fnall be holden without fuch previous notice

as aforefaid, for the purpofe or on the pretext of confidering of 01
preparing any petition, complaint, remonftrance, declaration, 01
othe- addrefs, to the King, Or both Houfes, or either Houfe c]
Parliament, for alteration of matters eftablifhed in Church or Statej
on for thdf purpofe or on the pretext of deliberating on any grievance
in Church or State, ihall be deemed and taken to be unlawful
afTernbli.es. ,

Ariel be it^nafted by the authority aforefaid, That if any perfons
to the number of ' Or more, being a fTembled contrary to

the provifions hereinbefore contained, at any time after the
and being required or commanded by any one or more Juftice ol
Juftices of the Peace, or by the SherifFof the County, or his Un-
der Sheriff, or' by the Mayor or other Head Officer or Juftice ol
the Peace of any City or Town Corporate where fuch Aftembly
mall be; .by proclamation to be made in the King's name, in the
form hereinafter directed, to difperfe themfelves, and peaceably to
depart to their habitations, or to their lawful bufinefs, fhall, to the
number of or more, notwithftanding fuch proclamation

made, remain or continue together by the fpace of after

fuch command or requeft made by proclamation, that then fuch
continuing together to the number of or more, after fuch

command or requeft made by proclamation fhall be adjudged
and the offenders therein fhall be adjudged,

And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That the
order and form of the proclamation- to be made as aforefaid fhall be
as hereafter followeth (that is to fay) the Juftice of the Peace, or
other perfon authorized by this Act to make the faid proclamation,
fhall, among the faid perfons affembled, or as near to them as he
can fafely come, with a loud voice command, or caufe to be com-
manded, filence to be while proclamation is making, and after that
fhall openly, and with loud voice make, or caufe to be made,
proclamation in thefe words, or like in Effect :

' Our Sovereign Lord the King chargeth and commandeth all
« Perfons being affembled immediately to difperfe themfelves,
s and peaceably to depart to their habitations or to their law-
« ful bufinefs, upon the pains contained in the Aft made in
' the Thirty-fixth Year of King George the Third, for

« God fave the King.'
And be it further enacted by the authority' aforefaid, That in
cafe any meeting (hall be holden, in purfuance of any fuch notice
as aforefaid, and the purpofe for which the fame fhall in fuch no-
tice have been declared to be holden, or any matter which fhall be
in fuch notice propofed to be propounded or deliberated upon at
fuch meeting, fhall purport that any matter or thing by law efta-
blifhed may be altered otherwife than by the authority of the King,
Lords, and Commons in Parliament affembled, or fhall tend to in-
cite or ftir up the people to hatred or contempt of the Perfon of
his Majefty, his Heirs, or Succeffors, or of the eftablifhed Govern-
ment and Conftitution of this Realm; or in cafe any fuch meeting
fhall be holden, and any of the perfons prefent at fuch meeting fhall

( 9 )

proceed to propound, deliberate upon, or difcufs any proportion
for altering any thing by law eftablifhed, otherwife than by the au-
thority of the King, Lords, and Commons, in Parliament affem-
bled ; or mail wilfully and advifedly make any proportion, or hold
any difcourfe, for the purpofe of inciting and ftirringup the people
to hatred or contempt of the perfon of his Majefty, his Heirs, or
SuccefTors, or the eftablifhed Government and Conftitution of this
Realm; or in cafe fuch meeting /hall, by reafon of any fpecial circum-
tances, become dangerous to the public peace, in the judgment of t<wo or
more Juftices of the Peace, or of the Sheriff or his Under Sheriff and
one Juftice of the Peace, of the county where fuch affembly Ihall be„
or of the Mayor or other Head Officer and one Jufticeof the Peace
of the City or Town Corporate where fuch affembly mail be, or 'of
the Mayor or other Head Officer of fuch City or Town Corporate,
together with one Juftice of the Peace of the County within which
fuch City or Town Corporate Ihall be, or, in cafe fuch City or
Town Corporate ihall be a County of itfelf, then with one Juftice of
the Peace of any adjoining County; itfhall be lawful for fuch Jufl-
ices, Sheriff or Under Sheriff, Mayor or other Head Officer as afore-
faid, as the cafe mall require, to declare fuch Affembly an unlawful
Affembly, and thereupon it fhall be lawful for one or more of fuch
Juftices or other perfons fo authorized as aforefaid, by proclamation,
to require or command the perfons there affembled to difperfe
themfelves ; and if any perfons, to the number of or more,

being fo required or commanded, by proclamation to be made in
the King's name, in the form hereinafter directed, to difperfe them-
felves, and peaceably to depart to their habitations, or to their
lawful bufinefs, fhall, to the number of or more, not-

withftanding fuch proclamation made, remain, or continue to-
gether by the fpace of after fuch command or requeft made
by Proclamation, that then fuch continuing together to the number
of or more, after fuch command or requeft made by Pro-
clamation, fhall be adjudged

And be it further ena&ed by the authority aforefaid, That the
order and form of the declaration, and proclamation to be made
thereupon, as laft aforefaid, fhall be as hereafter follows (that is to
fay) one of the Juftices of the Peace, or other perfons authorized
by this act to make fuch declaration and proclamation, fhall,
among the faid perfons affembled, or as near to them as he can
fafely come, with a loud voice command, or caufe to be command-
ed, filence to be while proclamation is making, and after that ihall
openly, and with loud voice make, or caufc to be made, the de-
claration of the Juftices or other perfons authorized to make fuch
declaration as aforefaid, alfo make, or caufe to be made, proclama-
tion thereupon as aforefaid; which declaration and proclamation
fhall be in thefe words, or like in effect :
* We two of his Majefty's Juftices of the

* Peace for [or as the cafe may be] having
' adjudged this prefent Affembly to be an unlawful affembly ; do

* declare the fame to be an unlawful affembly ; and our Sove-
1 reign Lord the King chargeth and commandeth all perfons

* being affembled immediately to difperfe themfelves, and peace*
I ably to depart to their habitations, and to their lawful

Cj

( M )

* bufinefs, upon the pains contained in the aft, made in the
' Thirty-fixth year of King George the Third, for

* God save the King.'
Provided always, and be it further enacted by the authority
aforefaid, That if the Juftices, or other perfons authorized to make
fuch declaration as aforefaid, and proclamation thereupon, or any
one of them, (hall think fit to order any perfon or perfons who
fhall at fuch meeting proceed to propound, deliberate upon, or
difcufs any propofition for altering any thing by law eftablifhed,
otherwife than by the authority of the King, Lords, and Commons
in Parliament affembled, or fhall willfully and advifedly make any
propofition, or hold any difcourfe, for the purpofe of inciting and
fHrring up the people to hatred or contempt of the perfon of His
Majefty, His Heirs or Succeffors, or the eftablifhed Government
and Conftitution of this Realm, to be taken into cuftody, to be
dealt with according to law, it fhall be lawful for the faid Juftices,
or perfons fo authorized as aforefaid, or any one of them, fo to do,
whether fuch declaration and proclamation as aforefaid fhall be
made or not ; and in cafe the faid Juftices, or other perfons fo
authorized as aforefaid, or any of them, or any Peace Officer acting
Wider their or any of their orders, fhall be obftructed in taking
into cuftody any perfon or perfons fo ordered to be taken into cuftody,
then and in fuch cafe it fhall be lawful for the faid Juftices, or other
perfons fo authorized as aforefaid, thereupon to make, or caufe to be
made, fuch declaration and proclamation as aforefaid, in manner
aforefaid ; and if any perfons, to the number of or more,

being required or commanded by fuch Proclamation to difperfe
themfelves, and peaceably to depart as aforefaid, fhall, to the number
of or more, notwithstanding fuch Proclamation made, re-

main or continue together by the fpace of after fuch

command or requeft made by Proclamation, that then fuch conti-
nuing together to the number of or more, after fuch com-
mand or requeft made by Proclamation, fhall be adjudged.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That
every Juftice and Juftices of the Peace, Sheriff, Under Sheriff,
Mayor, and other Head Officer aforefaid, is and are hereby au-
thorized and impowered, on notice or knowledge of any fuch
meeting or affembly as is herein before mentioned, to refort to the
place where fuch meeting or affembly fhall be, or fhall be intended
to be holden, and there to do, or order or caufe to be done, all fuch
acts, matters, and things, as the cafe may require, which they are
hereby enabled to do, or order to be done : and it fhall be lawful
for all and every Juftice of the Peace, Sheriff, Under Sheriff,
Mayor, and other Head Officer as aforefaid, to take and require the
affiftance of any number of Conftables, or other Officers of the
Peace, within their refpective diftricts, or within the diftridt or'
place wherein every fuch meeting as herein before mentioned fhall
be holden, which conftables and other officers of the peace are here-
by required to attend accordingly fuch juftices, fheriff, under-
Cieriff, mayor, or other head officer refpectively, and to give fuch
affiftance as fhall be neceffary, for the due execution of this aft.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That i$
fuch perfons fo aflembled as aforefaids or or more of thern,

( II )

after any proclamation made in manner aforefaid, mail continue
together, and not difperfe themfelves within
that then it mall and may be lawful to and for every juftice of the
peace, fherifF, or under fheriff of the county where fuch affembly
fhall be, and alfo to and for every high or petty conftable, and
other peace officer within fuch county, and alfo to and for every
Mayor, Juftice of the Peace, Sheriff, and other Head Officer, High
or, Petty Conftable, and other Peace Officer of any City or Town
Corporate where fuch Affembly fhall be, and to and for fuch other
perfon and perfons as fhall be commanded to be affifting unto any
fuch Juftice of the Peace, Sheriff, or Under Sheriff, Mayor, or
other Head Officer aforefaid, who are hereby authorifed and im-
powered to command all his Majefty's fubjecls of age and ability,
to be affifting to them therein, to feize and apprehend, and they are
hereby required to feize and apprehend fuch perfons fo affembled,
and continuing together after Proclamation made as aforefaid, and
forthwith to carry the perfons fo apprehended, before one or more
of his Majefty's Juftices of the Peace of the county or place where
fuch perfons lhall be fo apprehended, in order to their being pro-
ceeded againft for fuch offences according to law; and that if the
perfons fo affembled, or any of them, (hall happen to be killed,
maimed, or hurt,, in the difperfmg, feizing, or apprehending, or
endeavouring to difperfe, feize, or apprehend them, that then every
fuch J uftice of the Peace, Sheriff, Under Sheriff, Mayor, Head
Officer, High ©r Petty Conftable, or other Peace Officer, and all
and lingular perfons, being aiding and affifting to them, or any of
them, lhall be free, difcharged, and indemnified, as well againft
the King's Majefty, his Heirs and Succeftbrs, as againft all and
every other perfon and perfons, of, for, or concerning the killing,
maiming, or hurting of any fuch perfon or perfons fo affembleda
that lhall happen to be fo killed, maimed, or hurt as aforefaid.

Provided always, and be it further enacted by the authority
aforefaid, That if any perfon or perfons do or lhall, with force and
arms, wilfully and knowingly oppofe, obftrucl:, or in any manner
wilfully and knowingly let, hinder, or hurt, any Juftice of the
Peace, or other perfon authorized as aforefaid, who fhall attend
any fuch meeting as aforefaid, or who fhall be going to attend any
fuch meeting, or any perfon or perfons who fhall begin to proclaim,
or go to proclaim, according to any proclamation hereby directed
to be made, whereby fuch proclamation fhall not be made, that then
every fuch oppofing, obftru&ing, letting, hindering, or hurting
fuch juftices or other perfons fo authorized as aforefaid, and fo
attending, or going to attend any fuch meeting, or any fuch perfon
or perfons fo beginning or going to make any fuch proclamation as
aforefaid, fhall be adjuged and the offenders therein fhall

be adjudged and that alfo every fuch perfon or perfons

fo being affembled as aforefaid, to the number of or more

as aforefaid to whom any fuch Proclamation as aforefaid mould or
ought to have been made, if the fame had not been hindered
aforefaid, fhall likewife, in cafe they, or any of them, to the number
of or more, fhall continue together, and not difperfe them-

felves within after fuch let ot hindrance fo made, having

knowledge of fuch let or hindrance fo made, fhall be adjudged
and tha; alfo, if any perfon or perform, fy being at any

( tfl )

fuch affcmbly as aforefaid, fliall with force and arms wilfully and
knowingly oppofe, obftruct, or in any manner wilfully, and know-
ingly let, hinder, or hurt any Juflicc of the Peace, or other Ma-
gistrate, or any Peace Officer, in apprehending or taking into cuf-
tody, in execution of any of the provifions of this Act herein
before contained, any perfon or pcrfons, or endeavouring fo to do,
that then every fuch oppofing, Gbitrucjing letting, hindering, or
hurting, iriall be adjudged and the offenders therein mall

be adjudged

And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid. That the
Sheriffs and their Deputies, Stewards, and their Deputies, Magif-
trates of Royal Boroughs, and all other inferior Judges and Ma-
gistrates, and alfo all High and Petty Conflables, or other Peace
Officers of any County, Stewartry, City, or Town, within that
part cf Great Britain called Scotland, mall have fuch and the fame
powers and authorities, for putting this prefent Act in execution
within Scotland, as the Juftices of the Peace and other Magistrates
aforefaid refpectively have, by virtue of this Act, within and for
the other parts of this kindom; and that all and every perfon and
perfons who mail at any time be convicted of any of the offences
afore- mentioned, within that part of Great Britain called Scotland,
fhall for every fuch offence incur and fuiTer the pain of

And whereas certain houfes, rooms, or places within the Ci-
ties of London and Weftminfter, and in the Neighbourhood
thereof, and in other places, have of late been frequently ufed
for the purpofe of delivering lectures and difcourfes on and con-
cerning fuppofed public grievances, and matters relating to the
Laws, ConiUtution, and Government and Policy of thefe King-
doms, and treating and debating on and concerning the fame; and
under pretence thereof lectures or difcourfes have been delivered,
and debates held, tending to flir up hatred and contempt of his
Majefly's Royal Perfon, and of the eftablifhed Government and
Constitution of this realm: Be it therefore enacted by the authority
aforefaid, That from and after the

every houfe, room, field, or other place, which fhall be opened or
ufed for the purpofe of delivering lectures or difcourfes on any fub-
ject whatfoever, or for publicly debating on any fubject whatfoever,
whether fuch houfe, room, field or place, fhall be opened or 'ufed
for any fuch purpofe alone, or for any fuch purpofe, together with
any other purpofe, or under whatever pretence the fame fhall be
opened or ufed, to which any perfon fhall be admitted by the pay-
ment of money, or by tickets fold for money, or in confequence of
his paying orrf giving, or having paid or given, or agreeing there-
after to pay or give, in any manner, any money or other thing, for
or in refpect of his admiffion into fuch houfe, room, field or place,
unlefs the opening or ufing of fuch houfe, room, field or place, fhall
have been previoufly iicenfed in manner hereinafter mentioned, fliall
be deemed a diforderly houfe or place, and the perfon by whom fuch
a hcufe, room, field or place, fnall be fo opened or ufed, fhall for-
feit the fum of for every day or time that fuch houfe a
room, field or place, fhall be opened or ufed as aforefaid, to fuch
perfon as will fue for the fame, and beetherwife punifhed as the law
directs in cafes of diforderly houfes 5 ana every perfon managing or,

r*j )

Ondufting the proceedings, or acting as moderator, prefident or
chairman, at fuch houfe, room, field or plaee, or therein debating,
or delivering any difcourfe or lecture, and alfo every perfon who
fhall pay, give, colled or receive, or agree to pay, give, collect,
or receive any money or other thing, for or in refpect of the admif-
fion of any perfon into any fuch houfe, room, field or. place, or
fhall deliver out, diftribute, or receive any fuch ticker or tickets as
aforefaid, fhall for every fuch offence forfeit the fum of
to fuch perfon as will fue for the fame.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That any
perfon who fhall at any time hereafter appear, act-, or behave him or
herfelf as matter or miftrefs, or as the perfon having the command,
government, or management, of any fuch houfe, room, .field, or
place as aforefaid, fhall be deemed and taken to be.a.perfon by whom
the fame is opened or ufed as aforefaid, and fnall be liable to be fucd
or profecuted, and punifhed as fuch, notwithstanding he or fhe be
not in fad! the real owner or occupier thereof.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That it fhali
be lawful for any Juflice or Juftices of the Peace, or Chief Magis-
trate refpectjvely, of any County, City, Borough, or Place, who
fhall, by information upon oath, have reafon to fufpect that anv
houfe, room, field, or place, or any parts or part thereof, are or
is opened or ufed for the purpofe of delivering lectures or difcourfes,
or for public debate, contrary to the provifions of this act, to go to
fuch houfe, room, or place, and demand to be admitted therein;
and in cafe fuch Juitice or juftices, or other Magi urates, fhall be re-
fnfed admittance to fuch houfe, room, field, or place, or any part
thereof^ the fame fhall be deemed a diforderly houfe or place, within
the intent and meaning of this Act; and all and every the provifions
hereinbefore contained refpecting any houfe, room, field, or place,
hereinbefore declared to be a diforderly houfe or place, fhall be
applied to fuch houfe, room, field, or place, where fuch admittance
fhall have been refufed as1 aforefaid, and every perfon therein at the
time of fuch refufal fhall forfeit the fum of to any

perfon who fhall fue for the fame.

Provided neverthelefs, and be it enacted by the authority aforefaid,
that nothing in this Act contained refpecting any fuch houfe, room,
field or place, which may be deemed a diforderly houfe or place
within the intent and meaning of this Act, fhall extend, or be con-
ftrued to extend, to any houfe, room, or other building, which fhall
have been previoufly licenfed, by writing under the hands and feals
of or more Juftices of the peace of the county,

city, town or place, where fuch houfe, room, or other building fhall
be, as a houfe, room or building to be opened or ufed for fuch pur-
pofes as in the faid licence fhall bcexpreffed, whilit fuch licence fhall
remain in force, and which licence it fhall be lawful for fuch Juftices
to grant, and the fame fhall be in force for the fpace of
and no longer, or for any lefs fpace of time, therein to befpecified:
and which licence it fhall be lawful for the fame Juftices, or any
Juftices of the fame county, city, town, or place, to revoke and
declare void, and no longer in force, by any other writing under the
hands and feals of a duplicate whereof (hall be

.delivered to or ferved upon the perfon to whom the faid licence fo
revoked fhall have been granted, or fhall be left a: the hoi

( »4 )

room, or building, for which fuch licence mail have been granted
And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That any
perfon entitled to any of the forfeitures aforefaid, may fue by action
of debt in any of his Majefty's Courts of Record at Weftminfter, in
which it mall be fufficient to declare that the Defendant is indebted
to the Plaintiff in the fum of (being the fum de-

manded by the faid action) being forfeited by an Aft made in the
thirty-iixth year of the reign of his Majefty King George the Third,
intituled

and the Plaintiff, if he (hall
recover in any fuch action, fhall have his full colts : Provided alfo,
That if any aftion or fuit fhall be brought againft any perfon, for
any thing done in purfuance and in execution of this Aft, the De-
fendant may plead the general iffue ; and if a verdift pafs for the
Defendant* or the Plaintiff difcontinue his or her action, or be non-
fuited, or judgment be given againft the Plaintiff, then fuch Defend-
ant fhall have colls.

Provided alfo, That the Ecclefiaftical Jurifdiftion within this
Realm fhall not by this Aft be altered or abridged, but that the
Ecclefiaftical Courts may punifh the faid offences, as if this Aft had
not been made.

Provided alfo, That nothing in this Aft contained fhall be con-
flrued to extend to take away or abridge any of the Liberties or Im-
munities to which the Proteftant fubjefts of this kingdom are entitled
by an Aft, made in the firft year of King William and Queen Mary,
intituled, " An Aft for exempting their Majefty's Proteftant fubjefts,
'* diffenting from the Church of England, from the Penalties of cer-
se tain laws/' or to which Papifts, or perfons profeffing the Popifh
Religion are entitled by an Aft, made in the thirty- firft year of his
Majefty's Reign, intituled, " An Aft to relieve, upon conditions and
** under reftriftions, the perfons therein defcribed, from certain pe-
*•' nalties and difabilities to which Papifts, or perfons profeffing the
*' Popifh Religion, are by law fubjeft ;" or to extend to any leftures
or difcourfes to be delivered in any of the Univerfities ofthefe King-
doms, by any Member thereof, or any perfon authorized by the
Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, or other proper officers of fuch uni-
verfities refpeftively.

Provided always, That nothing in this Aft contained fhall be
deemed or taken to alter, abridge, or otherwife affeft any provi-
fion already made by the law of this Realm, or of any part thereof,
for the fuppreifion or punifhment of any offence whatfoever defcribed
in this Aft.

And be it further enafted by the authority aforefaid, That this
Aft fhall be openly read at every Quarter Seffions of the Peace, and
at every Leet or Law day.

Provided always, That no perfon fhall beprofecuted by virtue of
this Aft, unlefs fuch profecution fhall be commenced within

after the offence committed ; and no aftion
fhall be brought, for any of the penalties by this Aft impofed, unlefs
the fame fhall be brought within calendar months next after

the offence committed.

Provided alfo, That this Aft fhall be and continue in force for
from the
and until the end of the then next Seffion of Parliament.

APPEAL

A «

APPEAL, &c.

TN the pfefent momentous crifis of political affairs, it is
the duty of every man to contribute his mite to the
information of his fellow citizens.

This is a pofition which will be difputed by no one, unlefs
he has a defign to keep them in the darkefl ignorance, and
confequentlv to plunge them into the mofl abject flavery*

Influenced by this confederation, I would take the liberty,
while a corrupt Minifler permits me, to call the attention of
my Countrymen to a few curfory obfervations on the bills
now depending in Parliament, which are at prcfcnt intitled—
the firft, *' An ad for theprefervation of his Majefty's perfon
and government againfl treafonable and feditious practices
ind attempts;" the fecorid, " An act for the more effectually
preventing lediiious meetings and affemblies." But which
will, I am confident in future acquire titles better fuited to
their nature and to their object, and be handed down to
pofterity, as •' acts for the extinction of British
Liberty."

D The

f 16 )

The point now at iffue, is whether the people mall tamely-
fubmit to the infringement of their cleared rights, to the
diffblution of the facred compact between the crown and
themfelves, to the utter fubverfion of the conflitution of their
country, or whether they mail rife " like a giant refrefhed
with wine" and break upon their proud oppreflbrs' heads,
the chains with which they are endeavouring to enilave
them.

The law of treafon was in ancient times extremely vague
and uncertain : almoft every thing was conftrued into treafon
by fervile Judges, which it fuited the convenience of the
Monarch or his minions to have fo conftrued. This grievance
had become intolerable ; to remedy it the ho'ufe of commons,
extorted* from Edward the 3d. a la w defining the crime with
the utmoft accuracy, fecuring the perfon of the King with
the greateft care, yet leaving ^hejuil: rights of the people
untouched, and guarding a gain-ft the drained conftrudtions.
of corrupt Judges by ?.n exprefs pfoviiicn. '

Notwithstanding this the fucceeding reign, that of the-
weak and wicked Richard the 2d. .proved fruitful both in
i'trained conductions, by the Judges, of the act of Edward
the III. and in new treafons which Parliament were found;
bafe enough to enact. The eonfequence was fuch as might
have been expected. The Chief Jufnce of England was hanged
<&nd the King was dijiojtdy and jhortly afterwards- murdered..

* I fay extorted from Edward' the III. for upon a review of the hiftory of his
reie.n, it Will appear that that was the fatt, Xn truth -his frequent neceffity for
money, to carry on his Wars againfi France, compelled him to comply wrh
mvny of the demands of tas Parliament, which he wotrid not .other wife have
done*

One

( 17 )

One of the firft ftatutes paffed in the reign of Henry the
4th. repealed the treafon laws of Richard the 2d. the tyranny
which had rendered them obnoxious, and the reafon afiigned
for the repeal of thefelaws, is worthy of notice, " lnaimucn
that there was no man which did know how he ought to
"behave himfelf, to do, {peak, or fay, for doubt of fuch
pains. "

In the defpotic reign of Henry the 8th. treafon again
multiplied; the King was a capricious and luftful tyrant,
and his Parliament were the fup$e infiffuments of his caprice,
his lult, and his tyranny. But fo odious was the departure
from the plain letter of the act of Edward the 3d. th^t che
'firft a6r. paffed when his daughter Mary came to the throne,
as a, fort of earneit of future benefits, repealed all the treafon
laws of her father, and reduced the crime within the bounds
of 25 Edward III. The 25 of Edward III, remains the
fiandard of high treafon io this day.

It is difficult to adduce flronger evidence in favour of the
wifdom of any law whatever, than by proving that however
its principle has been forfaken or violated by wicked men, in
bad times, for corrupt purpoles, that whenever thofe men
have been no more, and thofe times have been pait, the good
^mt of the nation has returned to it.

The offence of fedition has never been defined by pofitive

law as treafon has been, and therefore Judges have with lefs

uity fuited their judgments to the exigency of tht " ex-

ig circumftances, ;" but it is well worth remarking, that

hi good times profecutions for fedition nave been extremely

, in bad times they have been very frequent

D 2 &

( x8 )

In the reigns of Charles I. and Charles II. * mod enor*
mous bail had been required, outrageous fines impofed, and
cruel punifhments inriicted; which occafioned the introduc-
tion of that article into the Bill of Rights, " that exceflive
" bail ought not to be required, nor exceflive fines inv
*< pofed, nor cruel and unufual punishments inflicted."

At no period fince the Revolution has there been fuch a
deluge of profecutions for fedition as within the laft three
years. While the alarm lafied, which Mr. Reeves and his
worthy aflbciates fo fuccefsfully propagated, the Minifters
did obtain feveral convictions, and many of the unfortunate
objects of thofe convictions are now languifhing in goal.
But when the alarm fubfided, juries recovered their firmnefs,
and a few verdicts of 4 not guilty,' for a time, fufpended* the
exercife of the inquifitorial powers of the Attorney General,

The fpirit of the focieties aflbciated to obtain a parliamen-
tary reform remaining yet unbroken, a daring attempt was
made to crufh at one blow all further attempts to attain that
great and indifpenfible object. A traiterous plot was fabri-
cated, the Habeas Corpus Act was fufpended, feveral per-
Tons were apprehended and committed to the Tower, to
take their trials for High Treaion. The mofl infamous
lies were circulated by the hirelings of admininiftration, to
prepoffefs the public mind againit the prifoners. Yet not-
withstanding all thefe bafe practices, the prifoners were ac-
quitted; the independent juries, by whom they were tried,
difbelieved the whole pretence of confpiracy with which
they were charged.

* Thefe are the « gocd urns'" to which htxii Grenvilk referred for precedents
to justify the prefent measures.

Thus

( '9 )

Thus, foiled in a court of juftice, the Ministers exerted
thcmfelves in a place where they found perfons of more
compliant difpofitions than the honeft jurymen at the Old
Bailey ; and they prevailed on the legislature again to fufpend
the Habeas Corpus Act. That fufpenfion having expired,
the London Correfponding Society refumed its public meet-
ings, which were conducted with unexceptionable order
and decorum : their zeal was tempered with prudence, ex-
perience had taught them wifdom, and they became doubly
formidable. That the Minifters thought them fo is evident,
from the two Bills now depending in Parliament, which were
both framed before the commencement of the fejjion, although an
event that took place on the firft day of the feffion, is the
falfe pretence upon which the Minifters principally ground
the neceflity for the Bills in queftion.

To what caufe the event to which I allude, the outrage
offered to the perfon of the King, was to be attributed, I
had at the time but little difficulty to decide. The unex-
ampled diftrefs to which the war has reduced the People,
by enhancing the price of every article of fubfiftence, might
eallly urge fome ftarving wretch to fo defperatc an adt as
throwing a flone into the King's coach while he was in it>

But though this mode of accounting for it was that which
prefentecl itfelf to my mind at the time, yet the abfolute ne-
ceflity of fuch an event to create the alarm requifite to ob-
taining the laws now propofed, and which were refolvcd on
long before, joined to the extraordinary promptitude of the
Minifters to avail thcmfelves of it, have raifed a fufpicion in

* The tfory of the nir-gun is too abfurd to be credited by any one who is not
very far advanced in dotage.

my

( 20 )

rfty mind, that Treafon may be nearer the Throne than is
generally fuppofed.

Upon the proceedings of the Correfponding Society,
peaceable and orderly as they had been, upon this outrage
to the perfon of the King, joined to three other circum-
ilances, viz, certain feditious lectures [aid to have been de-
livered by Mr. Thelwall; certain feditious fpeeches, JaidXA
have been delivered, and certain feditious libels, J aid to have
been pubiiilied; have the Minifiers ventured on an audacious
attempt to enflave the country at once,

Secure in triumphant majorities, in the two houfes of
Parliament* for whatever meafuies they fhould chule to
prorole. they brought forward the Bills in queflion, with a
thcrouph contempt of the opinion of the public: fentiments
which it mull be confeffed, their experience of its acquie-
fcence in their former meafures had made not very unrca-*
fonable. They now find however that they have rou'fed a
fleeping lion. The people have taken the alarm : they have
flocked to the meetings, that have been called to petition
againft thefe Eiiis, and they h ive almofi: every where fhewn
that they are the wonhy descendants of their brave and il-
luftrioiis ancellors.

The Srft of thefe Bills is entitled " An A& for the Prefer-
vation of his M: -jelly's Perfon aid Government." Undoubt-
edly its authors would have defefved the imputation of folly
as enormous as their wickednefs, if they hatf not given this
offspring of their evil comic as a feducing name,-* It was well
faid by the Duke of Norfolk, at 'the n of the free-

holders of the County of Middlesex, that if a f;
prieflhood were to propofe a law for the introduction oi the

Spariifti

( 21 )

Spfcnifh Inquifrtibn, thev would call it " An 'Adr. for the
Preservation of or.r Holy Religion."

As far as regards the perfon of the King* that is amply
fecured by the 25tii of Edw. III. which denounces the pu-
niflimerjt of High Treafon againft any one who (hall com -
pais his deaih, and manifeft iuch comparing by any open
«Ieed. That act had been found fufncient to protect the life
of William III. who was conftantly iurrounded with plots
whicn threatened aiTdilinauon. It had been found Sufficient
to protect the lives of George the Firft and George the Se-
cond, when actual rebellion raged in the hem of the coun-
try, and when i the ccnterr. was in fome degree perfonal,
as there was a pretender to the throne, whofe hereditary
claims were admitted by a large proportion of the people of
this country.

Is it the intention of the Minifler to libel the King fo
grosfly as to fay that he is fo peculiarly obnoxious to his
fubjecls, that he is fo mu< 1 and dctefled, that it is

Hecefiary to place round his perfon, like that of his prime
Minifter, guards, for which his predecefibrs hud no occa-
fio- ?

It is worthy of remark, that there is an extraordinary

omiffioh in the preaml nber

belcre law an ; ,Cia i i ment

provided by exiftii in the pr h it was

ient
hers
i \ ,.■ hive
not ;

. _iC iuilS.

Every

( M )

Every writer on the law and conflitution of this coun-
try, whofe authority deferves any refpedt, concurs in the
lofrieft panegyrics on the wifdom of the common law and
general cuftoms of the realm, and the fimplicity and per-
fpicuity of the ancient ftatutes ; and reprobates- with un-
qualified, feverity the departure from the line marked out
and purfued by the wifdom of centuries, to anfwer a tem-
porary if not a wicked purpofe ; and the multiplication of
ftatutes, which bewilder thofe who rea^ them.

It is by thefe practices that the fimple grandeur of the an-
cient laws of England has been fo much defaced.

I have already touched upon the exifting law- againft
treafon.

A perfon totally ignorant of law might be led to imagine
from thefe Bills, that there does not exift any law whatever
for the punifhment of feclitious libels, feditious fpeeches, or
feditious and unlawful affemblies ; yet all thefe offences are
puniiliable by fine, imprifonment, and pillory, and with fe-
curity for good behaviour in future, at the discretion of the
Judges. But fine, imprifonment, and pillory (although that
fine may be more than the unfortunate delinquent can pay,
and that imprifonment, although it may extend to two, three,
or four, or five years ; and that fecurity. for good behaviour,
although it may extend feven years further) are not fufficient
to expiate the refentment of Minifters who, confeious of
- their own evil deferts, are cruel in proportion to their fears.

A new definition of fedition is given, and that definition
the mo ft vague and uncertain .that can be conceived ; and
the fecond offence makes the culprit liable to a fentence of
tranfportation to Botany Bay.

In

( 23 )

In the other act provifions are heaped on provifions, to
reflrain and fetter the public meetings called on political
fubjects, and it is in the power of any hired magiftrate
to difperfe any meeting which he may think by reafon of
any " /pecial circumftances" likely to become dangerous to
the public peace, and if the meeting does not difperfe in a
certain time he may let loofe the foldiery upon them, and
both he and the foldiery are difcharged from all the confe-
rences that may follow: that is, they are acquitted of
murder by anticipation let them commit what butchery they
pleafe.

I will' not go further into the difgufling particulars of this
Bill, it is a painful tafk to enter into the detail of fo exe-
crable a meafure.

Let us examine a little into the pretences that are fet up to
juflify the necemty of thefe unprecedented meafures ! Why, it
is firlt of all faid, that there are in this country many perfcns
difaffected to the King and Conftitution — Admirable poli-
ticians ! ! — To conciliate thcfe people to the per] on of the King,
you furround him with terrors, and to reconcile them to the Con-
Jtitution you dejlroy it. Are there many perfons difaffedted —
then do not adopt meafures which will at once juflify their
difarTection and increafe their numbers a thoufand fold.

But it is faid there exifts a defperate faction winch has
confpired the deftruction of the Conftitution. In my con-
feience I do believe that fuch a faction does exift, but I do
not look for it at Copenhagen Houfe; I look for it at the
Treafury, and the t.vo Bills now depending in Parliament
are damning proofs of the exigence of that faction at that
place. That faction muft have confpired the deftruclion of

the

( *4 )

the Confutation, for it is purfuing thofe very meafures, nay
ftronger and more deteftable meafures, than thofe, which
brought one King to the fcaffold, and drove another from
the throne. I deal not in vague afTertions, I appeal to the
jiiflory o£ our country, by that will I fraud or fall.

h is ailedged that tumultuous, diforderly, and feditious
meetings. have been held, chat feditious libels have been pub-
lished, and feditious lectures and fpeeches have been delivered
by various perfons under pretext of promoting the caufe of
Parliamentary Reform, and that the necefiity of thefe bills is
urgent Suppofe a member of the Houfe of Commons were
to ftate to that houfe that the offence of picking pockets had
of late encreafed to an alarming degree, and he propofed
therefore to -ena£t a law punifhing it with greater rigour,
would it not be enquired into, whether the cxifling laws had
heen inforced before new laws were enacted ? Unqueitiona-
blv it would: when it was aicertained that the exifting laws.
•had not been enforced, the next queilion would be, is it
..poffible to difcover the ofFeiitders ? oh yes, fays the member,
they committed thefe offences in the lace of day, and in the
prefenee of thoufands : I can name all the offenders — can
•you fo ■? would the boufe lay then get you gone, and pro-
fee ute them on the laws that now exift, and if you find thefe
profecutions ineffectual, then it will be time enough to pro-
vide a further. remedy.

•Si; eh would be the conduct of the Koufe of Commons

-^■crt they fufEercd to exercife their own unuerftanding.

■ < :ondu$ of the Houfe of Commons, not-

arbitory mandate of any mimfter, u

the reprefe&tajtives ofjtl -t. Bjur are theie

( 25 )

allegations of the prevalence of fedition true ? I aiTert that
they are falfe and falfe to the "knowledge of thofe who make
them. Mr. Sheridan has challenged them to the proof;
they have declined the challenge ; he has moved for a com-
mittee of enquiry, they have over-ruled his motion. Can any
conduct be more profligate than this, to accufe a fpecinc body
of men of heinious offences, to fhrink from the proof when
challenged to produce it, to bear down by numbers an at-
tempt to enter' on the enquiry, and yet to proceed upon thefe
charges, thus reprobated by themfelves, to break down the
great bulwarks of the liberties of the people.

The argument in ' favour of the bills for preventing fedi-
ditious affemblies7 which has been mainly relied on is, it is
letter to prevent offences than to pumJJi offender sy and this is only
k me aj ure of prevention.

I will venture to fay that a more delufive proportion than
this, was never Mated. To prevent the commiffion of a wrong,
this a£l would forbid the exercife of a right. It would be a*.
jutt in order to prevent the cofnihrnfon of forgery, to forbid
men in general the ufe of pen ink and paper.

But I afk,is trie principle of law in any free country, or car*
ft be, prevention rather than pttnifhment ? Is it not the cha-
racieriflic of freedom to leave the actions of men as un-.
retrained as the peace of fotiety will allow, holding them
refponfjble for the abufe of the liberty they enjoy? THE
liberty of the press exifLs upon thefe terms; formerly
no man could print without an imprimatur, and the object of
this a6l is to prevent any man fpeaking, upon political fub-
jects, at a public meeting, without a dicatur.

The

( 26 )

The Iicenfing the prefs proceeded upon this very principle
of prevention, but it involved in it the injuflice I have men-
tioned of forbid ing the exercife of a right to prevent the
commiflion of a wrong.

1 cannot refort to a more unqueftionable authority upon
this fubjedt., than Mr. Juftice Biackftone, and though he
fpeaks of the liberty of the prefs only, yet what he fays is
equally applicable ; nay, uiore ilrongly applicable, to liberty
of fpeech.

" The liberty of the prefs is indeed eflential to the nature
•* of a free ftate, but this confifts in laying no previous
*' reftraiats upon publications, and not in freedom from
•' cenfure for criminal matter when published, every freeman
•« has an undoubled right to lay what fentiments he pleafes
•' before the public, to forbid is to deftroy the freedom of
" the prefs, but if he publishes what is improper, mifchievous
*k or illegal, he mull take the confequence of his own
*' temerity. To lubjedt. the prefs to the reftridUve power
u of a licencer as was formerly done, both before and fince
" the revolution, is to fubjedt all freedom of fentiments to
•* the prejudices of one man, and to make him the arbitrary
* and infallible judge of all controverted points in learning,
44 religion, and government. "

If this bill ihouid pafs, every juftice of the peace is-
immediately elevated to the dignity of a profefTor of the
noble fcienccs of grammar, logic, and rhetoric, as well as
law (I take for granted his patent will qualify him for the
fituauon, otherwife an adt. of Parliament mult be paffed for
the purpofe) and the freedom of fentiment and of fpeech, is
to be iubjedt to his dread controuL

i will

now confider what effe& thefe bills are intended to
produce* It is intended to raife fome offences which have
hitherto ranked only as mifdemeanors into high treafon. It
is intended *o make the very propofal of a reform, in the
representation of the houfe, of commons, whether by fpeech
©r writing, a mifdemeanor, punimable the firft offence by fine
imprisonment and pillory, and the fecond by tranfportation
to Botany Bay.

It is intended to prevent any man addrefling a public
meeting on political fubje&s, without permiffion of the ma-
gi Urates, for the moment he fays any thing which difpleafes
them, the " circumftances" will in their opinion become-*
«* Special" and then the meeting muft difperfe at their com-
mand, or be liable to undefcribeable horror. It is intended
aMb to Subject private families to inquiiitorial vifits.

It is not long fince the prime minifter betrayed a lamentable
deficiency of memory on oath in a court of juflice, and he
feems to be as forgetful of his pafl life, as he may with the
public to be. There was a time when the minifter himfelf,
this Englifh Robefpierre, who now endeavours to eflablifh
a fyflem of terror, was himfelf an advocate for a Parlia-
m mtary Reform, and was of opinion that that was abfolutely
ciTmtial to the falvation of the country. There was a time
when he met andfpoke in debating clubs and popular Societies,
both of which he now proScribes. It was the character he
eftablifhed by theSe fteps, which raiSed him to his preSent
elevated ftation, where he has forgotten or forSaken all his
patriotic principles, and he now defires to punifli all thofe
whofe virtuous coniiftency reproaches his bafe apoffacy.

I have

( *S )

I have no doubt from the terms in the Bill, intitled a Brlf
for the Protection of his Mujefty's Perfon, that the main
obje£l that Minffters have in view, is. to flifle ali difcuflions
on the fubje£r. of Parliamentary Reform. That the repre-
fentation of the people in parliament needs reform there is
fcarcely even an hireling of the Minifter, however low
and degraded his fituatio-n, and however hardened his
front, that will attempt to deny; and yet if thefe Bills pafs,
be it known to the people of England that any " malicious
or advifed writing, printing, or other {peaking" in favour of
Reform in Parliament is punijliabk the first offence WITH

FINE, IMPRISONMENT AND PILLORY, AND THE SE-
COND WITH transportation; provided juries can be
packed which fliall be bafe enough to convict any man
whom the" Minifter may chufe to profecnte upon thefe Bills.

The Bill for the prevention of feditious affemblies com-
pletely repeals that part of the Bill of Rights which declares
the right of petitioning to be the ancient and indubitable '
right of the people.

The Bill of Rights, let it be remembered; is mo ordinary
fiatute. It is a folemn compact between the Crown and
the People; and every perfon who knows the meaning of
the word coinjitifl knows that, to preferve it in force, it muifl
be obferved by both parties. The prefervation of the whole,
and every part of the Bill of Rights, is the condition by
which the King holds his Crown; the moment he breaks
the one, he forfeits the other.

Left: it mould be fnfpected that I am rating the Bill of
Rights above its merits, I will refort to the authority of
t ,e learned Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, when At-
torney

( 29 )

torney Genera], and exercifmg of rthe powers of that
office, in the profecution of Mr, Paine, for writing the fe-
cond part of the Rights of Man;

Mr. Paine had fpoke of the Bill of Rights with great con-
tempt, " What is it'* (faid he) " but a bargain which the
44 parts of the government made with each other to divide
44 powers, profits, and privileges? and you fhall have fo
44 much and I will have the reft; and with refpect. to the
44 nation it faid, for your fhare you fhall have the right of
44 petitioning; This being the cafe, the Bill of Rights is
*4 more properly a Bill of wrongs and of infuit."

Kear the indignant manner in which Sir Archibald Mae*
donald repels this attack on this facred law;

44 I wonder to God, gentlemen, that any BritiiTi man, to
44 ufe the words of our own poet, when he fpoke thefe
44 words 4 a bill of wrongs, a bill of infult,' they did not '(lick
44 in his throat,' What is that Bill of Rights ? It can never be
44 too often read; I will make no comment upon it, becaufe
44 your own heads and hearts will make that comments
44 You have a poflerity to look to, are desperate
44 Ruffians, who are to be found in every country, thus
44 to attack the unalienable rights and privileges which are
44 to deicend undiminifhed to that pofterky ?"

44 Are you not to take care, that this (hall be facred to
44 your poflerity? Is it not a truft in your hands? It is a
44 truft in your hands as much as the execution of the law
44 is a truft in the hands of the crown: each has its guar-
44 dians in this community, but you are the guardians of
44 the Bill of Rights."

Sir Archibald goes on with the enumeration of the pro-

£ villons

( 3° )

vifions of the Bill of Rights, and marks that which relates
to the right of petitioning as a mo ft important one — that " it
is declared to be their unalterable right."

It is not three years then fince the Attorney General, ap-
pointed to that office by the prefent Minifters, and after-
wards raifed by them to an exalted ftation on the Bench,
thought the rights declared by the Bill of Rights to be " un-
alterable," " unalienable," of which juries were guardians,
which were to defcend undiminiibed to pofterity; and that
thofe who attacked them were desperate Ruffians.
Yet what did Mr. Paine do in companion with what is now
attempted by the Minifters? He only [poke contemptuoully
of the Bill of Rights; the Minifters aft in contempt of it,
and are now attempting to repeal one of its moil important
proviftons.

Shall I be told that this part of the Bill of Rights is not re-
pealed, becaufe the right of petitioning is not abrogated in
direct terms ? Such puerility muft diigrace the man who can
fet up that pretence. The right of petitioning necefTarily
includes a right of meeting to petition; it is impoflible for
people to relolve to petition without 'meeting. . But by this
act. all meetings (except county meetings, called, by a Lord
Lieutenant or Sheriff oi a county, or meetings called by a
certain number of Juftices, and meetings of Corporate
Bodies) for the purpofe of petitioning for any alteration of
matters eftablifhed in Church or State, or on the pretence of
deliberating en any grievance in Church or State (anxioully
.including a Reform in Parliament) are liable to be difperfed
by the caprice ©f any two hired hungry Juftices. Where
then is the right of pensioning? Lord Lieutenants, Sheriffs,

anil

i 31 )

and Juftices of the peace are appointed by the Crown; if
they refufe to call a meeting, the perfons affembling without
their call are liable to difperfion in a moment; and from the
conduct of Sheriffs and Juftices now, we fee what reafon we
mall have to expect their concurrence in calling meetings
when armed with the powers which this Bill arms them
The Sheriffs oi Northumberland and Yorkfhire have refufed
to call meetings, and in London, Sir John Hopkins, Mr,
Alderman Anderfon, and Mr. Alderman Staines, have alfo
refufed to call meetings of their refpective wards.

But then we are told that we overrate the grievance, for
that this is not a Bill to jujijirefs public meetings, it is only
a Bill for their better regulation. Such unqueflionably is the
pretended purport of the Bill, but the flighted examination
will prove that in this cafe regulation and fujiftrejjion are one
and the fame thing.

Why does this Bill purport to he for the better regulation
and not the fuppremon of public meetings? Becaufe the
former is an infidious, and the latter would be an open and
•undifguifed attack on the liberties of the people. The Mi-
lnfters have flattered themf elves with the vain expectation
that they could delude the people with the fliadow, while
they robbed them of the fubftance.

So in the other Bill, intitled " A Bill for the Preservation
■of his Majefty's Perfon and Government," it is not pro po fed
in terms to annihilate the liberty of fh^Jire/s, but it is pro-
pofed to put the prefs under new regulations, which oy the
ftudicd ambiguity of the phrafes employed may cite in a
ihort time its compleat annihilation. That man n ud be
mort-fightcd who docs not perceive that this fyftem of regu-

E 2 lutiqn

( 3* )
htlon will not flop here, every right will be regulated when
its exercife mall be inconvenient to adminiftration.

If theie Bills fhould pafs into laws, and if the Minifters
fhould attempt to enforce them, if juries be formed of the
fame firm and manly texture as thofe we have lately wit*
netted, in all probability the Minifters will mortiy put trial
by jury under better regulation. Perhaps, as meetings are to
b* held by pcrmifTion of magiftrates, and lectures and de*
bating clubs to be opened only with their licence, their
Jicence may be made a neceffary qualification for a man to
(it upon a jury,

Should the prefent Bills prove inadequate to reftrain the
prefs within the narrow and contracted bounds which the
Minifters would wim to prefcribe to it, I have no doubt that
they wjil foon pnt the prefs under fome further better regulation \
^nd here I do not argue merely from their defpotic inclina*
tions, fo openly avowed as they have lately been; I ground
royfelf on that part of the " counter petition" of the Elec^
tors of Weftminfter, fanctioned by Lord Hood, and which I
therefore think it is not unfair to conclude to be a fort of
manifefto of the Minifters themfelves. The part which
follows is that to which I allude " For our part we conuder
44 what is alledged about Magna Charta and the Bill of
*4 Rights, upon this occafion, as mere cant and impofition
♦* to mjflead the ignorant. We are plain men, who deal
44 little in words, and judge, of things bv their effects; and
44 we are humblv of opinion that if Magna Charta and the
" BUI of Rights gwt hudiion to fuch feditious practices as
44 now prevail, they ought to be revifrd, c::pla':ncd and amended
•* fo as to be rendered truly a protection to our liberty, and

44 not

( 33 )

n not a cloak to licencioufnefs. But this we believe they
41 already are, and nothing in our opinion will more con-
u tribute to make them continue fo, than the aid of the two
" Bills now in queflion.

" After what we have prefumed to offer to this Honour-
u able Houfe on the fubjecl: of feditious and inflamatory
4< publications, we beg permission to add that

•* WHILE IT IS INTENDED THAT POLITICAL DEBATES
" AND LECTURES SHALL BE MADE SUBJECT TO A LI-
4< CENCE FROM THE MAGISTRATE, IT WOULD BE AD-
u VISEABLE THAT PAMPHLET SHOPS, WHERE SMALL
H PAMPHLETS ARE SOLD FOR SIX-PENCE AND UNDER,
44 SHOULD IN LIKE MANNER BE SUCJECT TO A LI-
44 CENCE.''

It is to be remarked, that whenever the Minifters have
intended to take any ftep which would naturally alarm the
peoples' minds, they have always prepared the public for it
by propofmg it firft in the publications of fome of their
hirelings.

From the extract, from this counter-petition, which I
have inferred, th° inference is fair and reafonable, that the
Minifters do entertain a defign of impoling a further re-
(Iraint upon the prefs, or to exprefs it in a gentle phrafe,
which will be acceptable no doubt to my adverfarics, to put,
the firefs under better regulation.

My fellow citizens, if you do not put a ftop to thefe regu-
lations at once, thefe Miniiiers will not flop till they have
put all rights und^i the fame fort of regulat ons, as the Em-
prcf6 of Ruffia has pui the rights or th 1 rave but unhappy
Poles, When flie invaded Poland to overturn a free govern-
ment

( 34 )

jncnt eitabliilied by a bloodlefs revolution, flie alledged juftthe
fame fort of pretexts as the Minifters alledge for the paffing
of thefe Bills. — The prevalence of licencioufnefs and tumults'
and the neceflity of order and fubordination — and when {lie
hadmaffacred thoufands of thofe whodidrefift and thoufands
of thofe who did not, and reduced the remainder of the people
of Poland to complete and abfoluteflavery, (he then command-
ed them, while yet reeking with the blood of their flaughtered
fathers, mothers, hufbands, wives and children, to offer up
thankfcivmgs to the Almighty for being admitted to the privi-
leges of Ruffian fubjecTs — The privileges of Ruffian fubjecls ! ! !
Gracious Heaven! what a mockery of human mifery !

Hiftory affords us raofl inftru&ive leflbns to beware of
regulations which deflroy the vital fpirit of inllitutions, while
they leave their outward forms untouched.

When Caefiir eftablifhed his tyranny upon the wreck of
the liberties of Rome, he did not abolifh the Senate, the
Confuls, and the Tribunes — No — but he made Senators,
Oohfuls, and Tribunes fubfervient to his will. He deluded
the people by the femblance of their conftitntion while he
rxerciied a folitary defpotifm. It was by the regulation not
by the aholition of the conftituted authorities of Rome, that
that free and mighty republic degenerated into the irioft fe-
rocious tyranny that ever curfed mankind-
There is not a more certain mode of ascertaining the dc-
fian of any meafure than by watching the language of its

■ o

authors and fupporters; and if any thing could render thefe
Bills more odious and deteflable than they are in themfclves,
it is the language of the Minifters and their retainers.

The

( 35 )

The pofition of Bifliop Horiley, that in all countries "the
niais of the people have nothing to 'do with" the laws but to
obey them " was better fuited to a Turkim Divan, or a
Romifh Inquifition than a Britim Houfe of Parliament, and
the only queftion pofterity (if his name mall reach poite-
rity) will have to decide will be whether this worthy prelate
of the order of Bonner, was better fitted for the office of a
Mahometan Mufti, or a Romifli Inqu'ifitor.

The language of Mr. Wyndham 1 trull with Mr, Sheri-
dan will never be forgiven nor forgotten by the people of
this country, his threats might pafs for the ravings of irifa-
nity ;' but when wre recollect he is iecretary at war, and
holds this language unreproved by his fellows in office, we
cannot doubt he fpeaks the fentiments of the cabinet : indeed
his threats have been aim oft re-echoed by Mr. Pitt hiinfelf.
Such threats before the paffing thefe bill's, from men fo to-
tally regardlefs of any principles of honour, or honefty, and
of freedem, are fufneient to teach the people what they hive
to expect when thefe bills are paffed. An immenfe army
is at their beck — but mould the time arrive when the mi-
nifters will command them to enflave their countrymen,
I truft they will anfwer them in the firm and manly ftyle
that becomes them. * We enrolled our/l'lves as foldien to de-
fend', not to cnjluve our count) y".

Ii is not long hnce the 'friends of the people* and Othel
focieties were urging the neccfTity of Parliamentary Reforni,
that the adherents of the Minifters railed a loud cry sgainft
innovation ! Where are the perfbns who were loudeft in th'at
erf ' Why are they iilent now, when the moil dangerous

innovations

i 36 >

inhoVations that ever were attempted are receiving the fane*
tion of great majorities in Parliament ? Innovation it feems
is only to be dreaded when it tends to fecure the liberties of the
people. It is perfectly harmiefs, nay more, it is exrremely
defireable, when it makes an inroad upon the Conflitution*
to increafe ,the power and influence of the crown, which
influence an Houie of Commons within thefe fourteen years
voted " had increafed, was increafmg, and ought to be di-
minifhed," and which inftead of having been diminifhed, has
fince that time increafed beyond all calculation*

It has frequently been obferved with refpecT: to the events
of the French revolution, that the Britifh Minifters after hav-
ing condemned the conduct of the French revolution in va-
rious particulars, havejthemfelves imitated that conduct ; for
a long time the walls of the Houfe of Commons refounded
with pathetic lamentations of the miferies produced by zfyjlem
efteiror> yet fcarcely has that iyftem been abrogated in France
than our minifters imported it into this country — It is conge-
nial to the coid and relentlefs heart of the Englifh Robcfjuere;
who when he lately exhibited himfelf in thatdefpicable iituation»
when he dared not (hew his face in the principal city of the
Empire on a vifit to its mayor without a guard, corn-
pleated one of the lafl acls of refemblance to the Parifian
tyrant. When thefe bills fhall have pafled, if he iliall yet
have the audacity to pafs them, there will remain but one
event to compleat the parallel, and that the parallel may
foeedily be completed is " a confummation devoutly to be

Mr,

( 37 )

Mr. Juftice Blackftone concludes his commentaries on the
laws of England, with this juft and forceabie oblervition,
which cannot be too deeply engraved in the memory of every
Briton.

«« The protection of the liberty of Britain, is a duty which
they owe to themfelves who enjoy it, to their anceftors
who tranfmitted it down, and to their poflerity who will claim
k at their hands, this, the bed birthrights andnobleft inheri-
tance of mankind/'

Britons, a few days will decide whether you will or will not
fufFer this your " beft birthright and nobleft inheritance'*
to be wrefled from you by the " corrupt and defperate admi-
niflration," with which this country is curfed. The manly
and fpirited oppohtion you have given to thefe tyrannical bills,
will reflect, upen you immortal honour. Perfevere in the
fame line of conduct, difconcert the machinations of your
enemies, and the enemies of liberty, by your peaceable de-
meanour; rally round the ftandard of thofe tried patriots in
Parliament, who whatever doubts have heretofore been enter-
tained of their integrity, have given proofs which mud fub-
due the mod inveterate prejudices, and convince incredulity
itfelf. The manner in which they have oppofed Jiefe bills en-
tides them to the everlafUnr gratitude of every man who
values frecdem. Your joint exertions, will, I htpe, prevent
this coming to an alternative ; which I cannot contemplate
without horror, whether you will be the Haves of an a:
trary monarch, or the ciiiicns of a free republic— dreadful
alternative ! avcidit, I conjure you, for whatever may be the

F e\ ent,

' ( 33 )
event, torrents of blood would inevitably flow before the
contefl could be decided : but I will not defpiir, the opinion,
of the public becomes every day fironger and flronger,
their voice louder and louder ; foon will it {peak in thunder
to their infamous oppreffors— fure I am, that fuch cannot
be the lail efforts of expiring freedom.

{lere I mould conclude were it not that thecircumitances
of the prefent times force upon my mind the hiflory of
Rehoboam, which is recorded in the 12th chapter of the.
Fi'rft Boo'; of Kings. When the children of Krael had;
affeiTibled to make him King (upon the death of Solomon his
father), they faid unto him " thy father made our yoke griev-
" ous: now therefore/ make thou the, grievous fervice of
" thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us,
" lighter, and we will ferve thee, and he faid unto them, de-
*' part yet for three days, then come again to me. And the.
*u people departed. And King Rehoboam confulted with
« the old men that flood before Solomon his father, while he
'* yet lived, and faid, how do ye adyife that I may anfwer
** this people ? And they fpake unto him, faying, if thou
" toilt be a fervant unto this people this day, and wilt ferve.
" them and anfwer them, and fpeak good words to them,
" then they will be thy fervant? forever. But he forfook
<■* the ; of the cid men, which they had given him,

mth the young men that were grown up
eh flood before him : and he laid unta
Jvc vie, -hat we may. am wer this people,
. ...; ;;: ich

;;o:i us lighter ? And the y.caing men

'.< that

( 39 )

M that were grown up with him, fpake unto him, faying,
fj thus (hull thou fpeak unto this people that fpake unto thee,

V faying, thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou
f it lighter unto us j thus malt thou fay unto them, my
•f little finger (hall be thicker than my father's loins. And
" now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke,
*' I will add to your yoke : my father hath chaftiied you

V with whips, but 1 will chaftife you with fcorpions. So
<* Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the
f third day, as the King had appointed, faying, come to me
i* again the third day ; and the Kino anfwered the people
" roughly, and forfook the old mens counfel that they gave
" him ; and fpake unto them after the counfel of the young
<* men, faying, my father made your yoke heavy, and I will
" add to your yoke ; my father alfo chaflifed you with
" whips ; but I will chaftife you with fcorpions. So when
" all Ifrael faw that the King hearkened not unto them,

V the people anfwered the King, faying, what portion have
" we in Day id ? Neither have we inherfitance in the fon

V of JeiTe. To your tents, O Ifrael : now fee to thine own
M houfe,. David. So Ifrael departed unto their1 teats."

The conduct of Rehoboam, and the cond-ndfc of the Mi-
nifters, furnifti an exac: pirailel. The people have from
time to time complained of various grievances , the Mintfters
have anfwered their complaints by heaping burden upon
burden ; at lafl when they have reduced them to a ftate of
inifery, in which their complaints aie become louder than
ever, they deride their murmurs, they infult their miicry.

« Hitherto*

f 40 )

*' Hitherto" (fay they) "you have been chajlifcd only with
ivhijis, henceforth youjliall be chaftifed with fcor/iiom." But let
them beware — the language of the people of Ifrael may
become the language of the people of Great Britain.

" What portton have we in David ? Neither
" have we inheritance in the son of Jesse—
" to your tents, O Israel."

FINIS.

N. B. The Bills, when paiTed, will be Publifhed by
D. I. Eaton, at Two-pence each, the fame fize as this
Pamphlet, and niay be bound up therewith.